The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-08
PENSION COMMISSIONER BLACK.
Working His Vice-Presidential Scheme-In
justice to Old Pensioners.

Working His e-Presidential Scheme-In-
Justice to Old Pensioners.
Washington Special
Candidate Blacks vice-presdential boom is
the thing which is going on night and day
in Washington little moro vigorous, if any
thing, with the Thermometer at $50 than it was
when the same mercury crouched down, SILVER
ing in the vicinity of zero Those who have to
supply the wind don't like their task very much,
but they paid by the government and can be
discharged by the candidate. and their COM
plants consequently have about the same value
as the unfortunate neighs of a, street-car horse.
Mr.. Black intends to get there. and the Pension
Office clerks might well make up their minds
to the fact that they have got to help him.
All of last week the windows of the big PEN
sion building flashed with light up to midnight.
and the clerks were kept close at their desks
getting small pension applications in such shape
that they could figure on the years accour<s as
granted One of the clerks SAYS that the files
were searched. the small and unimportant cases
which number in the lists, of course, the same
tbs big ones-taken out and large force
from the Office put to work In the evenings get
ting them ready TO be granted By Thursday
they had the Interior Department pretty we'll
stocked with the papers. and on that night Sec
rotary Lamar had number OF his clerks at
their desks until the clock struck twelve stamp
ing and sealing them. When the report of the
Pension Office is published they will figure among
the number of pensions granted during the fiscal
year, and Candidate Black can show the Grand
Army that. even if the President did veto their
pension BILL he has been granting pensions at a
rate that showed intense sympathy with the
wounded and suffering soldiers. The list has
not been made public yet, but enough is known
now to say that it will rebound greatly to the
credit of the candidate whether he tries to be
Vice president. or Governor of Illinois, or Sena-
tor from that State.
As a rather curious contrast to this hurry in
the Pension Office, however, there has been
kta,H ,--u sx-& h. nA~a ofo -
stigated by Commissioner Black. Nothing will
be said about it, however for it will not help his
vice presidential boom, and if its results do ap-
pear in the years records they will not be
pointed out enthusiastically the pensions
granted. One of the overworked clerks was
telling me about it the other day. "These pa
an apology for not being able to hunt up some
other records, 'are taking up all time
They are pensions stopped by General Black
and sent down to US to investigate the alleged
flaws which he has discontinued them In
former years, you know, the Pension Depart
ment recognized the fact that it was impossible
to get clear record of every man who
deserved a pension. Some OF them were
sick and overstayed their leave; some
were unable to get back in time, and
others. because of the accidents of war, were
for a time involuntary deserters. They never
able to mako the complete showing that
the laws required. or frequently did not think OF
applying for a pension until after the proof they
could have furnished had got beyond their
reach. In such cases the department had to as
sumo something. If they found that the man
had been good soldier, had stood well among
his comrades, had served faithfully both before
and after the apparent flaw in his record, and
had a reasonable excuse for whatever appeared
to be wrong they granted the pension. General
Black. however, in his search for Repu blican
frauds, thought some of them must underle |
this method. He stopped all pensions where
the least technical violation occurred and we
now trying to help the poor fellows to get
their proofs and get on the list again. Where
the violation in itself inconsequential |
H. til Cd %h4 %hn%%
man had been drawing pension for years
prima facie showing in his favor. but Black |
don't do business in that way where soldiers are
concerned"
General Black does not do business in the or
binary way so far other matters are concerned
either. / went to him some time to ask |
emptorily for the offense of taking part in a |
campaign in adjoining State. 1t happened |
that another man bearing the same name had |
done the campaigning and that the clerk was |
able to furnish afidavlts that he had nothing to
do with it. The General admitted the dismissal |
but did not ADMIT that he could have been mis-
taken.
But" said I, 81 have afidavits in the
which, think, will convince you that you have
done the man wrong"
WELL" said the General stif1y, "you may |
have them but l won't look at them"
Perhaps then" suggested mildly. ''there is |
some regular course they should go through be- |
ment of the case and submit the affidavit if you
will tell me whore to send it."
This would be the place to send it," said he, |
more stiffly than before; "but tell you don't |
care to know anything about it."
But you have discharged a man." said l, "for
a reason which he shows to be eroundless He |
has tried to get an investigation and you won't
let him see you or make request for it to any
official in the department Now, I come to you
and tell you exactly what is the difficulty; what
/ am willing to do and what these affidavits will
show You owe it to your own sense of justice
to read them and give the man fair play"
The only answer got was another stiff assur-
ance that, justice justice. he would not do
anything, and then l took the papers the
Secretary of the Interior. Mr.. Lamar is still
asleep over them.